Unspoken
Sharing my thoughts, experiences, and devotions
The
Christian Worldview
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
There are many church members who think Christianity is only for Sundays. They go to church once or twice a week and are convinced they are good Christians. Jesus never has any influence in their daily life. These people are Christians by creed, but atheists in practice. Jesus said, “Whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself and pick up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk 9:23)
A “worldview” is simply how someone views the world. Christianity is much larger than Sunday morning or youth group. Being a Christian involves your daily life. Does the Bible change the way you look at sports, dating, music, sleep and free time? The Christian worldview is comprehensive.
“Whatever you do” is a pretty broad statement (1 Cor
10:31). How is it possible to glorify God in “boring” daily routines? It
begins with the gospel and then connects to the glory of God. Jesus’ death on
the cross has purchased every good gift we can experience in life (Rom 8:32).
Everything we enjoy is a gift of grace that Jesus bought for us when He died on
1.
Above all things. Glorifying God is about calling attention to
God. It is about bringing honor to Jesus. When we glorify God it makes Jesus
look attractive to a lost world. Glorifying God involves showing that He is more
valuable than everything. When you play football, is it clear to the world that
Jesus is more valuable to you than winning a game? When you eat dinner, is it
obvious to your friends that you enjoy Jesus more than food?
When you carry on conversation with your classmates, do your words make
Jesus look good?
2.
In all things. When a prisoner is set free from jail, he truly
appreciates enjoying the warmth of the sunlight. He is thrilled to breathe fresh
air and knows it is a precious gift that he does not deserve. The Christian
should also enjoy God’s gifts and realize they are free because of the gospel.
Therefore, glorify God by playing basketball to the best of your ability. With
the right heart, playing your hardest actually honors God. Worship God by
enjoying every winning touchdown, ice cream, or day off from school. Enjoying
God’s gifts make Jesus look good!
God calls us to live an everyday life for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31). This does not mean you need to force “Bible talk” into everything conversation. God wants you to live life loving Him above all things and in all things. Do you know the joy of the Christian worldview?
The Problem of Sin
Are people born evil? Download article on Romans 3 // (PDF)
Divorce & Remarriage
Does the Bible permit divorce and remarriage? Download article on 1 Corinthians 7 // (PDF)
Jesus as High Priest
What did Jesus' death on the cross accomplish? Download article on Hebrews // (PDF)
Tied to
the Titanic
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable of a man in complete bondage:
“The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool!’ This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Lk 12:16-21)
Over ten times this man makes reference to himself! The man
in the parable is not any different from millions of people on our planet. I
believe this man did not even realize the self centered nature that he was
following. Every action he took was focused on his own well being. Is it wrong
to prepare for the future? Certainly not! There are many Scriptures which
commend planning for the future. In fact, God raised up a man named Joseph to
store grain in
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit.’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then it vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:13-17)
Voltaire once said, “Everyman will be held guilty for all the good he did not do”, but God wrote this truth down long before the French philosopher. God not only holds everyone accountable for the good they did not do, he holds them accountable for the God they chose to exclude. In the parable of the foolish man, God says “This night your soul is required of you!” life was given to that man by grace and was given to him so that he might glorify God. Instead, the foolish man squandered God’s grace and forgot all about his creator. It has been said that Satan’s goal is not to make us hate God, but to make us forget God.
God then asks the foolish man, “Who will own your possessions?”. Living life for anything but the Lord is like painting the titanic. People toil and labor day after day, and it is all for nothing. A life’s work can vanish in an instant. Priceless art museums have burnt down into ashes. Novels of writers have become fragmented and forgotten. New generations could care less about the previous top models or actors. Self-glory is a sinking ship. Fame is a breath mint in life’s ongoing conversation. Hit records become oldies. High school trophies wind up in trash receptacles. Sports records are surpassed by someone stronger or faster. Homecoming kings become faded pictures in dusty yearbooks. Presidents are replaced. Warriors grow old. Better, smarter, stronger, more attractive, more talented, and more influential will come after you pass on. Time and death have a way of ensuring that no human is immortal.
“‘Vanity of vanities’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’ What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4)
One way to trash a masterpiece is to live your life for yourself. If you live a life that is based on your choices, your desires, your wants, your needs, your comfort, your enjoyment, your rights, your career, your family, your money, your house, your clothes, your time, your security, your dreams, your goals, your aspirations, and your benefits… you will wreck a potentially beautiful life. The life lived for self is a sorry and useless existence. It is like clawing apart an expensive canvas before it ever had a chance to be painted by a master. Each life is a creation of God and has the opportunity to reflect His glory for all eternity. When a person settles for the self-gratifying way of life, he destroys every possible chance for satisfaction and lasting beauty. The way of God is not some ridged, pain inflicting life. The Way is everything you and I were created for!
God’s plan for our lives is one of uniqueness and fulfillment. No other way of life can obtain the lasting joy that God offers. “You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalms 16:11). Many people think that God is a brutal taskmaster. They think he enforces laws that he installed for no other reason than to make us miserable. O how far from the truth this is! When God makes a decree, it is out of love. Submission to his order will cause eternal enjoyment to spring up. Jesus is called the living water in John chapter four. The soul that drinks from His Word finds his thirst quenched. Woe to the individual who wanders in the dry desert of self! Woe to that heartbreaking life which perpetually looks for a drop of water to satisfy his years in the hot sands. The self centered life constantly devourers momentary pursuits, only to crave for something greater. If only every man would lay down their foolish independence and humbly embrace the freedom of the Lord’s will.
My friend at the Alamo was right. Unless we live for something greater than ourselves, we will throw our lives away. What is eternal? Is there anything worth living for? Is there anything I do that will not be forgotten in the dust bin of time? There is a more excellent way. You do not have to run on a gerbil wheel throughout your entire existence. You do not have to remain tied to the titanic of temporary pursuits. There is a Treasure that lasts and there is a Cause to live for. A cause greater than yourself: The Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Effects
of the F
The seasons continually cycle and change. Autumn is my particular favorite time of the year. It has certain affects on me. I begin to change my attire from short sleeves to long sleeves. I begin to take advantage of every opportunity to spend outside before the winter season arrives.
The season of fall is a testimony to the existence of God. There is a stable order in the seasons that should not have resulted from random chance. This seasonal cycle of order testifies to the God who is there. With every gust of wind that carries orange leaves across the landscape, God receives glory. The season of fall also reminds me of the sinful fallen state of man. Our Fall also has its effects. “For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.” Whenever an unbeliever does a good deed, it still falls short because that person does not do it for God's glory. There is none righteous. No, not one! The affect of the Fall permeates every aspect of our being. The heart is desperately wicked. And Who can know it?
The good news for us is that our Fall does not have to last forever. Just as surely as the spring brings the fall back to life, so does God bring the fallen to life. God's word is more certain than the fact that our seasons will change.The leaves wither and die. Yet, when spring time arrives, the foliage is revived back to life! Luther once noted, "God tells the story of the resurrection not just in books, but in every leaf of spring time." The gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached to everyone through the seasonal changes.
Jesus was resurrected from the dead and now offers life to all who will receive Him. Jesus was brought back to life in order that He may bring us back to Life. This is the good news. The effects of the fall upon our lives do not have to be eternal; by the grace of God they can be seasonal.
Jesus said to her “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he may die, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25)
Mishearing
God (part 3)
“Ah! That feeling confirms what I’ve been praying for! It’s a sign. I’m going to take that as a yes.”
Impatience produces problems. Remember Abraham? (Genesis 15-16) He was impatient with God’s promise and looked for ways to reinterpret what God had said. I’m sure thoughts went through Abraham’s mind like this, “Mmm…that’s it! I’ll sleep with my servant! I have a good feeling about this. I guess this is sort of a peace that came from God… yeah, must be a ‘yes’ from God. Plus my wife confirms it – wise counsel from a friend and with accountability. I should have known this years ago.”
Sounds crazy right? How could Abraham mishear what God so clearly said? Impatience (and trying to interpret God’s will apart from Scripture) was a huge part of the problem.
Sometimes God wants us to search for Him and know that we really want His will in our lives.
I had a ring tone that made a pretty distinctive sound. One day I was in the shower and waiting on a phone call from a friend. While shampooing my hair, I thought I heard my phone ringing. I quickly dried off and ran to answer the call…. Which was non- existent. My mind was so focused on receiving the call that I interpreted every sound as my cell phone. I have checked my phone a minimum of five times during some showers because I’ve been so anxious for a text or call. When one is impatient, even the slightest noise or ruffle of a shower curtain can be interpreted as a phone call.
Our interpretations of God’s answers are no different. So many impatient people interpret anything as God’s answer. The slightest feeling or bumper-sticker is taken as an excuse to follow the path you want.
“Even zeal is not good without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily sins.” (Proverbs 19:2 HCSB)
Hasty decisions are usually not in God’s will. If you are trying to decide to buy a house, take more than a minute to pray about it. If you are trying to decide on a career, take more than a day to pray about it. If you are trying to decide to become romantically involved with someone, take more than a month to pray about it. If you are patient, when God gives His answer, you will know its God’s ring tone and not a showerhead.
“he sins who hastens with his feet.” (Proverbs 19:2 NKJV)
If you are contemplating making a crucial decision, take more than a mere moment to access the issue. Use prayer, Scripture, wise counsel, and God’s timing.
Prayer: “God, I will wait on your will and your answer. I trust your timing.”
Study: Psalms 27:13-14
Mishearing
God (part 2)
“I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind- for this is your reasonable act of worship. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2 connects the first step of sacrifice to the second step of searching.
Think of an Easter egg hunt. If you really want to find where the egg is located, then you must go and search for it. If you are going to look for an item in your house, you must first get off the couch and leave your original spot to begin the quest. Searching for God’s will requires the same action. We must leave our present state of mind and begin searching for God’s mind. Therefore, I am going to make a very crucial statement regarding the will of God.
You will never know God’s answers to your prayers, never know His direction for your life, and will never be in God’s blessing if you do not read Scripture. God’s will aligns perfectly with His word. The Holy Spirit’s direction for your life coincides beautifully with His written directions. Romans 12:2 tells us that our minds must be transformed before we can ever know God’s plan for our life. Our minds are “renewed” and “transformed” by a daily meeting with God through His word.
“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
After you take the first selfless step of sacrifice begin the step of searching the Scriptures.
Prayer: “God show me your will as I search your Word daily.
Study: Jeremiah 29:11-14
Mishearing
God (part 1)
When it comes to emotions and prayer, one must bring extreme caution and Biblical wisdom to the table. Many people have misheard God and the consequences are often devastating. Examples of this can range from a murder to a marriage. Many sincere individuals have thought God was saying “yes” to their requests when in fact God was saying “No” all along.
I can personally testify that I have made many fleshly decisions while believing the entire time I was in God’s will. I have also observed many people make unwise choices assured by the fact that they have “prayed about it”. How can we be so easily deceived? What precautions can we take to ensure that we are hearing God correctly? Are there signs to show that He has given the “ok” to our requests? Since God is the one to whom we are praying, I think He the most qualified on the subject:
“Hear, O my people, and I will speak…” (Psalms 50:7)
“… that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2)
“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17)
Often times we do not hear because we do not listen. We do not hear God’s voice because we can not hear it. If our ears are not in tune, all we will pick up are signals from the flesh. The flesh’s voice does not come with a dark evil tone or a satanic vibration. Rather it appeals to our earthly desires. Satan sounded very smooth in the Garden of Eden and he appealed to Eve’s desires. The first step we must take when searching for God’s will is the selfless step of sacrifice.
This selfless step of sacrifice is shown by our Savior. Jesus was petitioning God to find out for sure what His perfect will was for His life. Here is what Jesus prayed, “Not my will Lord, but your will be done.” One way to discern God’s “ok” from a fleshly “ok” is to have a true heart for God’s will. God’s answer will come when the individual sincerely prays, “God, even if it is not in your will to (fill in the blank), then I will still be satisfied and follow your choice.”
We can begin to hear God when we are completely satisfied with Him despite His answers. Come to His throne with Him on the throne. Before you pray, purpose in your heart to follow Him even if He denies your request. That’s when God can begin to work in your life and bless you.
Prayer: “Not my will Lord, but your will be done.”
Study: Luke 22:39-48 / Psalms 37:3-7
Baths & Babies
The person briefly mentions the immoral “bath water” that was sprinkled throughout the movie, performance, or event.
I have often heard reports such as this, "The move was fantastic! The
photography was incredible. There were only a few questionable scenes, but don't
let that stop you from seeing it." They vaguely mention the sex scene found in the
film and then follow with the words, “But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.” The conversation ends with both parties pleased and smiling about the wonderful
recommendation for their viewing pleasure. They leave with their consciousness seemingly Scott-free and no one dares to ask a very important question: is this justifiable?
On the surface, the idiom of the baby and the bath water seems appropriate and sound. It would be utterly foolish for a mother the toss out her precious baby just because the water it bathed in was filled with dirt and silt. In fact, if a mother did this she would be reprimanded and imprisoned because of her evil, unthinkable act. And rightly so.
But does this analogy cross over into the realm of entertainment? Does this thinking justify the educational value of the subject matter? Is the keeping of the “Baby and the bathwater” the only way to relay important information or display a well crafted art to a person? Does the good in something outweigh the immoral and ungodly content? There is a more excellent way.
When comparing this analogy to a movie, book, or play there are several faults that must be considered. The “baby” represents the seemingly irreplaceable
good in a subject. The “bath water” is the seemingly unimportant, non-impacting, tolerable sin that can be shrugged off in the presence of goodness. The justification lies in the idea that one can just discard any unwholesomeness and need only focus on the good. This idea rests on the assumption that one can sit through a two hour film filled with blasphemous language and walked away unscathed. This concept tries to convey the idea that an individual can watch
sex-scenes in a movie and then automatically forget the thoughts, images, and connotations they just viewed. This arrogant fallacy rests on the strength of people to simply laugh off the vulgarity, ignore the inappropriate, and nonchalantly avert their mind away from the damnable sin they had just been exposed too. O how proud we have become.
One important misconception is the comparison of the content to “the baby”. The fundamental problem is when people deem the good content in these types of entertainment as irreplaceable. To them it would appear that there is absolutely no other possible means of learning about a good message than to watch it in something that is riddled with “excusable” sin. They are led to believe that the moral or meaning could not be conveyed in any other way than to see that particular film, read that particular book, or view that particular production. On the contrary, the tainted good is nothing like a child. A baby is irreplaceable. A baby is precious and priceless. The content of a certain film is not. Excellent acting can be found in completely untainted scenes. Superb directing can be appreciated in clean films. And certainly, morals and good messages can be impacting in undefiled novels.
Let me be clear, I am not saying
it is wrong to have a story line that contains evil. If the storyline requires an
affair
or immoral act, then it can still be presented in a wholesome fashion. I do not need a step-by-step description or viewing of the adultery to get the point. I do not need the foul language to understand the anger or fear of an individual- regardless of the character’s circumstances. Take Scripture for example. David committed sin with
Bethesda
, but we are not given the intimate details of their sinful encounter. Adultery, murder and all manner of evil is written about in the Holy Word of God. Yet it remains Holy. The material is presented in a way that does not violate the reader nor does it excuse the sin. There are ways to show evil without doing evil. The good in films does not have to be wrapped in violating sin. The “baby” in these types of entertainment can and should be found elsewhere.
Another problem with this comparison is the “bathwater”. Dirty water used from a shower was once clean water. Pure water was poured onto a dirty body in order to cleanse. This is not the case with the “bathwater” found in the world. The filth and showing of detailed immorality was never clean nor can it cleanse. It has the opposite affect of bathwater. It does not clean the mind; it contaminates it. It does not rid the soul of evil; it fills it with sin. Viewing, hearing, or participating in it does not purge the heart; it pierces the One who lives inside of it.
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is Holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-15
Sodom can be Subtle
A common symptom of the ordinary life is
blind self-absorption. The way to appeal to an audience is to make
them feel like they are in control. This is especially appealing to patrons. Slogans such as “Have it your way” and
“we will treat you right” are very affective. You can control a person by
letting them choose. On several occasions, I have used this technique when
teaching
People love to be in control of their lives. They love to have the ‘right’ to choose to live the way they see fit. If a person thinks their well own being is at stake, that will motivate them much more quickly than if someone else’s well being is at risk. The average American will become very indignant about an issue that concerns them directly. Christ’s life and lessons on selfishness are completely contrary to our original selfish nature. The idea of “esteeming others better than ourselves” grates against our mindset. Putting others first often seems weak. To the natural man, the idea of being servant hood seems like slavery. In reality, selflessness is freedom.
“So Abram said to
Look at the original conflict with
Unbeknownst to
Jesus is not silent on this issue.
Let’s examine the mindset during
The people in
The Beat Within
The foundation of
All too often I tend to point out everyone else’s faults while ignoring my own shortcomings. I have a strong tendency to diagnose the problems of the world, without ever going to see the doctor about myself. Last year as I sat in my English class, my eyes were drawn to a black poster with these words written in bold letters: “Before fixing the problems of the world, you must first fix the problem of yourself”. The root of all problems lie within the heart. In the words of Jesus, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” If a person’s heart is evil, the actions of that individual will be selfish and harmful. If a heart is full of love, the deeds of that person will be done with care and concern. Speaking from experience, if I am motivated inwardly to do homework, the grade and quality will be above par. However, if I am forced to do an assignment, the chances of incompletion are much higher. The same principle applies to love, charity, and helping others. The beat of a person’s heart dictates the beat of his action. As an individual, as a generation, and as country, we are in desperate need of a heart transplant.
Since I can remember, I have been bombarded with the idea that life is all about me. Advertisements teach me to believe that my comfort takes first priority in my life. Music, TV, internet and career’s try to convince my heart that I am most important. Selfishness and apathy are characteristics that sometimes plague our generation. This type of thinking is detrimental to our country. This haughty way of life is the downfall of so many. Imagine what our nation would become if people put each other first. No one would ever hear of violence in schools. Trials of thieving multimillion dollar executives would be non-existent. Sharing a meal with a homeless person would become common. If the motives of our generation are changed, our nation would never be the same.
My grandmother would often say, “The one thing you can change at this moment is your attitude”. Initially, we as youth may not be able to change Congress, but we can make a change in ourselves. We may not be able to immediately sway the masses for the right choice, but we can immediately make the right decision. If we are not careful, we can find ourselves missing the trees because we are so focused on the forest. I forget that my part in changing America does not have to be noticed by the world. My role in altering our country for good does not have to be broadcast on the national news. I can humble myself and realize the people in
my neighborhood are just as important as anyone else. The hurting people around me are as much in need as those on the national level. The rejected and poor in my community are as significant as those who have wealth and popularity. The author of the book of James said it this way, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Once I remove my pride, I can begin to change
What could happen if just a handful of youth stopped looking inward and began looking out for other’s needs? How different would our community, city, and country be if those in power thought about others more than themselves? If we esteem others more than ourselves, the course of
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Died at 29. Missionary and
Martyr
“Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud
of witnesses, let us cast aside every weight and the sin which so easily
entangles and let us run the race looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1)
I highly recommend reading the writings of great faith-filled men of the past. For the past year I have been working through the journals of Jim Elliot. I am about half way through them. Reading a few entries each day alongside my own devotionals has made a noticeable impact in my personal life. It is very interesting to see your theology, worldview, and spirituality being developed by the writings of godly men. His journal entries are honest, convicting, and God-focused.
I have chosen some quotes from Jim Elliot’s journals that I have found beneficial to my walk with the Lord. I hope they encourage you, refine you, and entice you to further read Christian Biography (especially this one).
“I have prayed for new men, fiery, reckless men, possessed of uncontrollably youthful passion – these lit by the Spirit of God.” – Oct 27, 1949
“I have prayed for new words, explosive, direct, simple
words… Lord, fill preachers and preaching with Thy power. How long dare we go
on without tears, without moral passion, hatred and love? Not long, I pray Lord
Jesus, not long…” – Oct 27, 1949
“How inarticulate in reaching consciences and hearts I
am. Again I pray, Lord, that you will give to me a simple, truth-carrying,
explosive vocabulary in order that those about may ‘hear in his own
tongue’”. – Oct 13, 1949.
“Finished the chapel services at Christian High…I felt as though it was ineffective. After these meetings, I feel something like a cow must feel who has been milked – relieved but with an emptiness. Yet, I know that just as the bovine is ready for another milking by feeding, resting, and digesting; so, thank God, reading meditating and assimilating will restore to me the spiritual supply I know lack.” – Feb 10, 1949
“Ah, Lord, this tenderness, this eagerness to defend her against every charge, will it pass again? The weak, half-sobbing feeling when I think of her, will it go? Should I encourage these thoughts or stamp them out?” – Sept 15, 1949
“Verse 28 speaks of the man ’looking on a woman to
lust’ and declares him guilty of adultery. If such be the case of a man toward
a woman, what tremendous force there is in Paul’s admonition to modest dress
in women. If, by intention, she dress in any way to emphasize her body, so that
one may not look on her without lust springing to life, is she not guilty of
seduction as really as he is of adultery?” – Dec 19, 1949
“Purity of heart gives clarity to vision.” – Dec 19, 1949
Missions
“Just finished Under a Thatched Roof by Rosemary Cunningham, the story of a five-year term on the Xingo River of Brazil. Stirred for pioneer work again, like the feeling I had on finishing [James] McNair’s Livingstone the Liberator a couple of years ago, O God, raise up a vanguard of young men to reach the untouched, the untouchables!”
– Nov 18, 1949
– Dec 31, 1949
Miscellaneous
“Fellowship is reciprocal – one must give himself to be fed upon if he is to maintain the right to feed on others.”
-
Oct 31, 1949
“He that grasps God intellectually, grips Him coolly.” – Feb 20, 1950
Proverbs 22
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches ,, and favor is better than silver or gold.”
There is a lot to a name. More than we realize. A name usually comes with connotations. I guarantee there are people you know that if I were to mention their name… thoughts would come to your mind. Mother Teresa. Adolf Hitler. Joe the plumber. Mention a politician's name and it will either be met with disdain or approval. Names usually last longer than the individual. There have been ministries or businesses that still carry a person's name despite the fact their founder is long gone. Ford's motors. Lottie Moon.
When people say your name do they think of Jesus Christ. They should. The only reason you have been given life is to reflect glory onto the real Treasure – God Himself.
brittle, beautiful, & botany
As I reached out to pick one of the flowers, the petals crumbled in my hand. With each touch of my finger, the flowers would disintegrate. They seemed to be so brittle, that even if I brushed against them, they would crack and fall to the ground. At a distance they had looked healthy, yet a real examination showed the opposite.
Perplexed, I finally found one flower that did not break when I breathed on it. This flower was different from the rest. I took this unique flower from its bush and put it to the test. I picked, flicked, and shook it; Despite my efforts, it did not fall apart.
Unlike its friends, this flower was strong.
There are many Christians who look healthy from afar, until they are approached. Then their true-life with Christ is revealed. Just like the flowers, there are many brittle, useless, non flourishing Christians. Believers are those who abide in Christ's Word and presence.
Garmin and God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
As I type on my laptop, I have concluded that I am in the middle of nowhere. We have been traveling many miles in this beautiful countryside, but the only problem is we haven’t the slightest notion of our location, direction, or whereabouts. I am surrounded by my family, acres of corn, two-lane roads, and a talking map. Yes, all is not lost. The woman in the box knows where we are. Although neither I nor my family has any idea where we are, our GPS is guiding the way. It makes the journey quite “adventurous”.
Using the GPS takes an element of faith. All we can do is follow the 3-inch screen and the strange accent that gives us directions.You see, the GPS knows the right roads to take, the roads to avoid, and it almost seems like it has been here before. I find my relationship with God similar. I do not always know the road ahead, I do not always know the best route, and I have never been down this road called life. But God has.
A Saint's Stonehenge
“And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua saying: “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, and command them saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’” “Then he spoke to the children of Israel saying: “When
your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the people of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” (Joshua 4, emphasis mine)
God accomplished an amazing work in the lives of the Israelites. God parted the
Joshua ordered that twelve stones be taken from the
I love listening to the testimonies about how God has worked in
their lives. Just as God parted the Jordan, today Jesus still bridges the gap between heaven and hell. Just as God removed people from the wilderness, today Jesus sets people free from years of bondage.
Therefore, I beg you; please leave stones behind for others to see.
The Vineyard
“I am the true vine…”
As I walked down by my river today, something caught my attention. A tan-green cordlike object was wrapped around a log. I stood still and gazed intently at the strung out play-do. Thinking it was a snake; I picked up a heavy limb and tossed it onto the creature. No movement. No hissing. No snake.
It was a just a vine. A deceptive vine. It was hard to tell the difference between a snake and the vine. Imagine if I were in a grape vineyard! Then it would almost require a learned gardener to differentiate between the true vines, false vines, and the snakes.
Remember
“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth…” (Ecc. 12:1)
This summer will only come once. At the end of the book of Ecclesiastes, the wisest man to have ever lived sums up the entire purpose of life. “Remember now your Creator…” This summer will only come once. This year will only come once. This life will only come once. How will you choose to live it? The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord will endure forever.
Don’t let this summer pass by without reading His enduring Word. Don’t let your life pass by without knowing the joy of His Word. As we learned this past week at the Creator Conference, Adam was created from dust… …and to dust Adam returned.
“ Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
Life will only come once. Remember now your Creator.
Pictures from day three of the Unearthed Creator Conference
Our visit to the Creation Museum
Literature made Reality
Dedicated to Mrs. Potts
I have watched, read and heard many stories. I have seen countless movies about a hero or underdog that overtakes evil against all odds. I have read the novels about the one person whom ancient prophecies and legends foretold. I have heard about the “chosen one” who finds his destiny and sweeps in to save the world and/or girl, treasure, country, or race. I have seen the film plots in which only one unlikely person knows the real truth, yet no one will believe him. Everyone mocks him or ignores him; it is then left up to that person to guard or reveal the truth to the world. Many inspiring stories, many thrilling adventures, and many heroes.
A Grave Decision
Everything around me faded. It seemed as if the entire room were vacant. All that remained were the cushioned bench and the three or four steps that would soon become my gravesite. If every person I had ever met were in that room, I would have been oblivious to them. The previous events of the day are so vague in my mind I could not even begin to give a rough outline of anything before this decisive moment. Anything before this did not matter to me then, and it does not matter to me now.
After scraping every corner of my mind I can only recall a few memories. Every memory is almost gone and is falling away from me, just enough to escape my grasp. My memory is almost extinct and lost forever, except for one incident. I recall hearing the heart-drawing words that shook my soul. The words would demand every fiber of my being to ponder them. The words spoken can never be blotted out, even if I wanted them to be. The words were so effective that I cannot even remember the person who spoke them that day. The words pierced my flesh, heart, and soul. The words, “Come and die.”
I sat almost lifeless, yet never so alive. My heart pounded and squeezed as the man spoke. “Come and die, so you may live!” His words pounded inside my body and then echoed out into the building’s walls. “Die so you may live.” It seemed like a total contradiction. How can you live and yet be dead? How can death bring about anything good? Thoughts like these flooded my head as I listened to this powerful speech. I began to realize the words he spoke were not his own. The words my ears heard were not from a mere human, but from someone much more powerful and worthy. As the speaker continued quoting, I found myself clinging to every letter and syllable that came out of his mouth. This man was not expounding on words that he crafted, but he was quoting from the heart and mouth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the one who had shaped those beautiful words. And, as the heart of Jesus spoke, the words transformed from a soft whisper into a rushing wind. The words transformed from a contradiction into the only path to completeness. They burst from their cocoon to produce the secret of life itself. “Die so you may live.”
I died. Everything in my life died: my pride, hopes, ideas, loves, thoughts, actions, and desires. I gave it all up to live. It was at that moment that I realized instead of attending my own funeral; I would be attending a celebration. I would no longer be living for me, but I would be living for my God. I would no longer pour my trust and actions into something selfish and vain, but I would pour my life into Someone worthy. From that moment on, I began to live. From that day forward, Jesus Christ became my love, my hope, and my desire.
Some people would say that I am wasting my life living for Jesus. How wrong they are. They do not understand that everyday I wake up, I am not my own, for I have a Redeemer. My temporary dreams and thoughts have been replaced by everlasting ones. Every morning I have something and Someone to live for! Those people who are in confusion about how the death of my passions and lifestyle can bring about good don’t understand, because they have not yet died. The words that compel me are spoken today just as Jesus of Nazareth spoke them two thousand years ago. The words of the way, truth, and life, are still digging wonderful gravesites. Just as I have never been the same since I chose to die, you too, will never be the same if you make this choice. I beg you, “Come and live.”
A Wick’s Woes
The gears rolled and gritted against each other.
Still darkness.
A spark flickered the black room with a dash of blue and yellow.
Still darkness.
The untouched wick knew the time was near.
As the next stroke of the lighter occurred, the flame scattered the darkness.
The unused wick felt the heat drawing nearer and nearer.
As the hot flame first spread to the new wick, the wick cringed.
Its tightly woven threads began to loosen.
Even though this new experience was painful, it was what the wick was designed for.
The wick now fluttered unashamed and full of light.
The wick would never desire to return to the dark cold nights when it was unlit.
When Christ draws near, sometimes we are like the unused wick. We fear and are unsure of the new life that the Holy Spirit draws us toward.
Yet, when we submit, when we let the Lord burn our unused threads, we will never want to be snuffed out.
Though painful and fearful at first, the results of humbling the heart unto salvation and surrender are unexchangeable.
Let the Light enter, only then will you be able to see.
“And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend it.” (John 1:5)
Wisps of Wonder
“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Psalm 36:5
A simple fascination woke me today. I opened my eyes this morning and observed the blue. Our unique planet is surrounded by this thing called our atmosphere. Inside this massive azure marble there appear white swirls and floating defined clumps.God’s faithfulness to man reaches to clouds. Clouds can be absolutely beautiful.
The Master Artist carefully lets the suns light, reflect, penetrate, and envelope these fluffy cotton-like creations. Just like the clouds, God’s faithful presence can be peaceful, pleasant, and greatly desired. But Clouds can also be powerful. Fierce angry anvils can rule the sky. Gray and black can fill the earth and prove how small we are.
In the same way, God’s faithful presence is to be feared and respected. When you look into the sky and see the white cirrus clouds that hover at about 20,000 feet, remember the height of God’s faithfulness toward us. And when the stratus clouds are low to the ground and touching the horizon, remember that God is faithful and His presence is in your grasp. When the fog pours in, and the clouds graze the top of your head, remember the Creator is near. But unlike the weather, the Creator never changes. He is faithful.
Popping the Question
This past semester in English class, I was instructed to interview my mom. I was given a list of questions to ask her about her passions, interests, and life. It was a great way to get to know my mom better and learn about her pre-Sean days. One of the questions on the interview sheet was about her marriage. The question was “who proposed and how”. I asked my mom and she quickly told me that my dad was the one who proposed to her. I was intrigued as to when and how my dad “popped the question” and thought I might log away some pointers for future use. I was shocked by her response.
I chuckled in surprise. I couldn’t believe that she could forget the time when my dad asked her to marry him and spend the rest of her life with him. In my mind it seemed like it would have been so monumental that she could never forget.
“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…” 1 John 5:1
“Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased...” Mark 6:51
The lightening outside just flickered. The bellowing sound of the turbulent sky has now reached my house. A storm is brewing and my dog can sense it. I have a Labrador Retriever and every time a storm is on the horizon, my dog is whimpering and cowering. If you place your hand on his chest, you can feel his heart racing. He is terrified of storms.
Yet, as I place my hand on his head and he begins to realize I’m near… something happens. His heart is no longer visible through his fur, his breathing become normal, and his whimpering is silenced. Why? His master is present.
Spiritual Starvation
“my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
"Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God,
I also will ignore your children.”
Are you living? Jesus said man does not live by bread alone, but on every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The man on The Matrix got it wrong. Ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is death. O that every Christian would dive into the richness of the Word! How I wish all could know the presence of God from being in His Word! It is painful when I see Christians who do not have a love for the Word. God is just waiting! Waiting, For His child, whom He bought, to open the Word and seek His face.
I ask again, are you living? Or are you a starved skeleton? Eat, drink! Before it is too late!
Loath
“Abhor what is evil.” -Romans 12:9
Let me talk about something that a lot of Christians want to ignore. “Hate what is evil.” Now, I did not come up with that phrase. God did. When I look around in the church I see many who make sin seem not so terrible. They want to take something that goes against God, and make it seem ok.
Or worse yet! We incorporate it into what God says! I am referring not only to sins such as: sexual immorality, drunkenness, and stealing. But I am referring to concepts and ideas that contradict the Bible. Lately it seems that if a fallible human has an idea that is somewhat contrary to what the perfect God says, God is the one who needs to change. My friend, God does not change. God is not the problem. God’s Word is not the problem. We are.
If anything (whether it is an action, philosophy, or idea) is contrary to God’s Word, it is a lie, sin, and evil. Period. There is no compromise with the Word of God.
Epidemic
“Do not be deceived; ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.”
1 Corinthians 15:33
My school was closed today because of the large amount of students who are sick. So many people had the flu, sniffles, and nastiness, the school needed to take a day off. The sick people kept coming back to school and their sickness spread to everyone! When a healthy person stays around a sick person, what happens? The healthy person becomes sick! I have never seen or heard of a sick person becoming well due to the presence of a healthy person.
Burning Bridges
“…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders…” 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Relationships with other people are very important. The bridges that cross over from one person to the other are sometimes strong and concrete. Other bridges are weak and fragile. Either way, both bridges are needed to walk across. Who needs to walk across them? A very important person named Jesus.
When a bridge is burned there is always remorse. Someone built that bridge and would sad that their work has been utterly destroyed. When a relationship has been severed, there will always been someone who has been hurt. When a bridge is burned, smoke will rise. A large fire causes smoke. Other people will see that smoke and wonder what has taking place. When a relationship has been broken, it will always involve more than just two people.
When a bridge is burned, a gap is created. No one can walk across the gap until a new bridge is built. When a relationship is burned, Jesus is hurt. Any opportunity He prepared, through you, to get to another person is ruined. Jesus wants to use us to bring others to a saving knowledge of Him.
Statement of Faith
Compiled by Sean Perron
Purpose)
Unearthed Ministries purpose is to let God use us to instill a fervent passion for His infallible Word in the hearts of students, adults, and everyone we meet. Our main purpose is to spread the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to proclaim how the Bible is trustworthy and reliable. May it be said of us like it was said about the early Christians, “Those who have turned the world upside down have come here too…saying there is another king- Jesus.” (Acts 17:6-7). Every sport award, academic grade, and achievement will eventually fade away and be forgotten, but the Word of the Lord will endure forever! Jesus gave His entire life for us, it is only logical that we give our entire lives for Him. In the words of Mother Teresa, “Jesus is everything”.
Beliefs)
The Bible:
1) The Bible (the 66 books Genesis through Revelation) is the complete and only inspired Word of God and His revelation to humanity. (2 Timothy 3:16)
2) The Scripture has supreme and total authority regarding everything it teaches. It is completely flawless and completely accurate. (Proverbs 30:5-6)
3) The Word is true in every area it touches including geography, historically, scientifically and spiritually. (this includes God’s account of creation as revealed in Genesis) (Isaiah 40:28)
4) Sinful man’s fallible opinion is never to be taken as truth over God’s perfect, flawless Word. (Romans 3:4)
5) No apparent, perceived or claimed evidence in any field can be valid if it contradicts the Scriptural record. (John 1:14)
God:
1) The Godhead is triune: One God, three persons- God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:9-11)
2) Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:34-38)
3) Jesus is God incarnate. (John 1:1,14)
4) Jesus died on a cross for the sins of the entire world. (John 3:16, 1 John 2:2)
5) Jesus rose bodily from the grave and is able to forgive sin and conquer death for all those who place their faith in Him. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
6) Jesus ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of the Father. He will return to judge the living and the dead. (Revelation 22:2)
Salvation:
1) Jesus died and took the complete penalty of sin for all those who repent and place their faith in Him. (John 3:16, 1 John 2:2)
2) Man is sinful by nature and choice and must receive salvation from Jesus Christ to have eternal life in heaven. (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23)
3) Salvation is a gift to all those who trust Him and believe that died for their sins and rose again from the dead. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10)
4) Jesus is the only way to heaven. (John 14:6)
5) There are only two places after death. For those who did not trust Jesus, eternal separation from God and conscious suffering for payment of their sin. For those who did believe in Jesus, peace and life with God in heaven for all eternity. (Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:14-15, Revelation 21:1-4)